What Is a Pitot Tube?
Pitot tubes are instruments designed to measure the speed of a fluid. Named after their developer, Henri Pitot, they are commonly used in aircraft airspeed indicators and wind tunnels.
The pitot tube features a tube with two distinct openings: the total pressure hole and the static pressure hole. The total pressure hole is responsible for measuring the fluid’s total pressure, while the static pressure hole measures its static pressure. These openings are positioned perpendicular to the fluid flow direction.
There are two primary types of pitot tubes: single-port and double-port. The single-port pitot tube, known for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, is less accurate and typically not used for precise measurements. Conversely, the double-port pitot tube, though more complex and expensive to manufacture, offers higher accuracy and is preferred for precise measurements.